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Photo courtesy The Ruhlin Company
American Municipal Power Willow Island Hydroelectric Powerhouse on the Ohio River
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Photo courtesy The Ruhlin Company
Barberton Industrial Arts High School 1940
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Photo courtesy The Ruhlin Company
Creston School 1915
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Photo courtesy The Ruhlin Company
Jim Ruhlin, President and CEO of The Ruhlin Company
The Ruhlin Company has not just been a part of the Greater Akron Area for the last century, they have been building the Greater Akron Area. When driving around the community, their work surrounds you. 100 years of projects are seen in classrooms, hospital wings, health and wellness centers, and blood donation centers.
Jim Ruhlin, President and CEO, has watched building after building go up in the area throughout his life. His grandfather founded the company 100 years ago, passing the leadership of it down to his sons and grandsons. Ruhlin is the third generation and 6th president to lead the company, following in the footsteps of his grandfather, uncle, father and brother. “They began a path of growth [that] I’m trying to continue, of becoming more than just a building company and offering a full range of General Contracting, Construction Management and Design/Build services to serve the healthcare, education, government, commercial, energy, environmental, transportation, industrial and structural steel markets,” says Ruhlin.
The Ruhlin Company’s first headquarters were located at 1024 Home Avenue in Akron. The company then moved to III Cascade Plaza in 1969, and to 200 North Cleveland-Massillion Road in 1983. In 1989 they moved to their current home in Sharon Center, on a plot of land that Ruhlin says was actually purchased in 1962.
Though their headquarters have remained in the area for the last century, their reach for projects has expanded past the 330. “We are very committed to serving the Greater Akron Area and want to remain close to our founding roots. From this home though, we are continuing to expand our reach with projects in the surrounding states - Illinois (railroad bridge in Chicago), Michigan (railroad bridge in Monroe), and Indiana (work at Emmet J. Bean Federal Center in Indianapolis). We have even had temporary branches in some of these other areas, in order to best serve clients locally as our idea of “local” expands,” says Ruhlin.
Each successful project has generated more business for Ruhlin. “What stands out is that most of our clients—about 90 percent—are so happy with one project that they work with us again and again.” This has spawned projects across the campuses of Akron General Medical Center and The University of Akron. “We’ve been building on the campus of Akron General Medical Center since 1973, completing more than $200 million of work including the Emergency Department, Heart and Vascular Center, two health and wellness centers, medical office buildings, parking decks and more,” says Ruhlin.
In the late ‘50s, Ruhlin says that the company started industrial and civil divisions so that they could be a full-service construction provider across markets. These two divisions have helped them over the years to navigate through rough economic waters. “We diversified into different marketplaces, which has helped us navigate through some down markets because when one market is down, another one might be up,” says Ruhlin. Their first civil project was along the old State Route 5, near Easton Ohio and their first hydro project was the Shenango Dam in Pennsylvania. Currently, the company is working with American Municipal Power to design and build the Willow Island Powerhouse and cofferdams on the Ohio River. “There are a lot of geotechnical issues in these projects, which requires specialized expertise, and that makes it very exciting for us.”
Though the reach of their projects stretches beyond the 330, the company employs many in this area. “We provide income for a lot of members of the community. That money stays in the community. We want a successful project because we live and work here,” says Ruhlin. 82 percent of the company is owned by its employees, which Ruhlin says motivates everyone to do their best. “We implemented an Employee Stock Ownership Plan in 1977 to give employee-owners a clear stake in the company’s success. It shows that we’re all in this together, and this teamwork mentality is really what makes the difference at Ruhlin.”
The future for Ruhlin will include adapting to the ever-changing technology and automation that are a part of the construction industry. However, Jim Ruhlin is optimistic about the next 100 years. “If we continue to work hard, work together as a team, hold close to our founding values, and learn from 100 years of projects before us, I expect us to continue to grow.”
Current projects for Ruhlin include the trench for US Route 23 in Columbus, replacement of the old Inner Belt Bridge in Cleveland, the Kent Police Station, updates to Kent State University’s campus, as well as many more projects.
As the company celebrates their 100th year in business, they will be sharing memories of their past that will include videos highlighting the people-focused culture as well as an anniversary website. Visit the website at www.ruhlin.com/100.
/ Writer Molly Gase is a new basset hound parent, who quotes movies a little too frequently.
